Michigan's Residency Requirements

Either the petitioner or respondent must have been a Michigan resident for 180 days or more before filing for divorce.

Additionally, either spouse must have been a resident of the county for 10 days or more before filing for divorce in that Michigan county.

However, the 10 day Michigan county residency requirement will be waived if the respondent is or was a citizen of a foreign country, and if there is a risk of minor children being taken out of the country by the respondent.

Michigan's Grounds for Divorce

Michigan residents may file for divorce under only no-fault grounds for divorce.

Michigan's no-fault grounds is:

• the breakdown of the marriage without reasonable likelihood of reconciliation

Michigan's Child Custody Guidelines

Divorcing parents are allowed to collaborate on a child custody arrangement. If the parents cannot reach a decision, a Michigan court will make a ruling.

Michigan courts consider factors such as:

• each parent's moral, emotional, mental, and physical health
• whether the custodial parent would allow the noncustodial parent and the child to maintain a meaningful relationship
• the wishes of the child, if of sufficient age and mental capacity
• the bond, affection, and emotional ties between each parent and the child

Michigan's Child Support Guidelines

If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support and the paying parent, child support will be decided by state-specific calculations and guidelines.

Michigan courts consider factors such as:

• each parent's income
• cost of health insurance and childcare
• any schooling expenses needed by the child

Michigan's Spousal Support Guidelines

Spousal support can be paid in one lump sum, in installments, or periodically. The spouses may determine the spousal support amount and payment schedule, or the courts may award spousal support.

Michigan courts consider factors such as:

• each spouse's character and circumstances
• each spouse's financial situation

Michigan's Property Division Guidelines

Michigan has adopted equitable guidelines, which means all property (including gifts and inheritances) will be divided as fairly and equally as possible. Spouses may collaborate on the property distribution, but if they are unable to agree the courts will make a ruling.

Michigan courts will consider factors such as:

• each spouse's contribution to the property, including acquisition and upkeep of property
• each spouse's financial circumstances and insurance policy situation
• the circumstances and cause of the divorce
• duration of the marriage

Michigan's Venue Guidelines

The petitioner may file the divorce forms in their Michigan county of residence.

If there is a risk of minor children being taken out of the country by the respondent, the divorce forms may be filed in any Michigan county, without meeting the residency requirement.